PHILIPPE COUTINHO will be forgiven by his Liverpool team-mates for trying to join Barcelona, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Liverpool came close to losing Coutinho this summer with Barcelona seeing three bids rejected for the Brazil international.

Jurgen Klopp managed to just about retain his star performer - though he will miss tomorrow’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (12.30pm).

And Redknapp says fans will not treat him badly, and reckons the players within the squad will not feel let down by his determination to leave for a new challenge in La Liga.

“There has been a lot of talk about his mindset after everything that went on with Barcelona in the summer, but I don't think it's going to be a problem for him - and I certainly don't think it's going to be a problem for his team-mates,” the former Liverpool star told Sky Sports.